08-06-23 Daily-Gujarat-GPSC Current Affairs

On theWorld Environment Day, the announced the success of achieving a 55% reduction incarbon emissions in energy productionafter the implementation of New Solar Policy 2021. The state government initiated theGujaratSolar Policy 2021 on December 29, 2020, and in the last two and half years, 9.32 million tonnes of less carbon has been emitted in energy production across Gujarat.

Due to a significant increase in the installed capacity of RENEWABLE ENERGY in Gujarat, there is a need to reduce dependence on conventional ways of energy production. Consequently, there has been a substantial reduction in carbon emissions from energy production in Gujarat.

Gujarat government has prioritised the reduction of carbon emissions on a daily basis. To further this objective, the state government established a dedicated Decarbonization Cell in 2022. This specialised cell operates under the purview of the Gujarat Energy Training and Research Institute (GETRI) and comprises accomplished officers from various domains, including energy transmission, energy production, distribution, finance, and commerce. These expert officers work with a long-term vision, focusing on crucial aspects such as decarbonization and achieving a net-zero state in Gujarat.

Individual farmers, groups of farmers, cooperatives, panchayats, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Water User Associations (WUAs) can set up solar power Plants with capacities ranging from 500 kW to 2 MW.

In the financial year 2022-23 alone,total finished Steel Production was 122.28 MT which is a increase of 49 % as compared to 81.86 MT in financial year 2014-15.

Under the PLI(Productive linked Incentive) scheme, the Government has approved Rs. 6322 crores to give a new impetus to the Steel sector. Shri Scindia said that the PLI scheme is expected to generate an of about Rs. 30,000 Crores and additional capacity creation of about 25 Million Tonnes of specialty steel in the next 5 years.

In recent events, theNova Kakhovka Damin Ukraine has suffered a catastrophic blow, leading to concerns of devastating flooding. Ukraines military command has accused Russia of causing the explosion, given the Dams strategic significance.

The Nova Kakhovka Dam is situated on theDnipro Riverin southern Ukraine. Constructed in 1956 as part of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, it holds back a massive reservoir of water, estimated to contain 18 cubic kilometers, similar in volume to Utahs Great Salt Lake. The dams destruction would have severe repercussions locally and affect Ukraines broader war effort.

This follows a 0.5 percent decline in the previous quarter, making it the largest economy in Europe to experience a downturn.